Automatic drain apparatus.



PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905.

R. G. MGAULEY. AUTOMATIC DRAIN APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR.22,1905.

UNITED STATES Patented .Tune 13, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

AUTOMATIC DRAIN APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,538, dated June 13, 1905.

Application filed March 22, 1905. Serial No. 251,437.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT G. MCAULEY, 'a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements lin Automatic Drain Apparatus, of which the following is a speci cation, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part of the specification, in Which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section though my improved automatic drain apparatus. Fig. 2 is a partial horizontal sectional view indicated by the lines II II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing the operation of emptying the chamber. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line IV IV of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a partial detail view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a modified arrangement of pipes.

My invention refers to an improved apparatus for collecting and eliminating water of condensation and is particularly designed for the purpose of being used in connection with the steam-pipes of a car-heating system or any other similar heating or steam-conveying lant where the water of condensation accumu ates and must be disposed of.

The device is designed for the purpose of operating automatically, depending upon variations in the temperature caused by the varying temperatures of the steam and Water, respectively. a

The present invention 1s similar 1n opera- 'tion to that shown and described in my prior 4 is an inclosing case or chamber forming the main body portion of the device, providing an interior cavity of sucient size to contain an appreciable body of water, as one gallon, With which the pipe 2 or an extension of it is connected, as shown in Fig. 1. The terminal of pi e 2 or an extension thereof is connected wit i the casing 4 in such a manner as to communicate with a reduced chamber 5, through which projects the inner end of a pipe or tube 6, provided with ports 7, adapted to admit free circulation of the Water of condensation from the surrounding chamber 5 into the interior of pipe 6 at Whatever position it may assume. Surrounding pipe 6 is an outer pipe S, tapped into the end of the case, as shown `and sufficiently larger than pipe 6 to provide an intervening space a for return-110W of the water and steam. Pi e 8 is provided'at its outer end with a rigidfy connected stem bearing 9, having 'a stuffing box 10` and preferably provided With a surrounding co ing or shroud 11, removably attached to t e head 9 in any suitable manner. The outer end of tube 6 terminates near the outer end .of tube 8 and is provided with outlet-openings 12, whereby the water passing outwardly through pipe 6 may escape into the space a and return through tube S, being finally emptied into the collecting-chamber in the interior of case 4 through a communicating port 8. The terminal end of pipe 6 is provided With an adjusting-screw 13, threaded in the interior of head or coupling 9 and provided with a stem 14, extending outwardly through the stuffing-box and having a turning-terminal 15, by which tube 6 may be accurately set with relation to tube 8. As thus constructed it will be seen that the outer ends of the inner and outer tubes are rigidly connected together. The inner end of tube 6 is provided with an abutting terminal 16, normally bearing against lever 17, pivoted at 18 upon a pin extending across the casing, the lever having a long arm extending forwardly through the chamber and terminating in a downwardly turned bearing portion 19. Pivoted on cross-pin 20 in a similar manner is a lever 21, against the shortV arm 22 of which terminal 19 of lever 17 bears, while the long arm of lever 21 extends across underneath lever 17 and engages the valvestem 23 by means of a lifting abutment or collar 23', against which the terminal, preferably slotted, of lever 21 bears. The lower end of valve-stein 23 is provided with a check-valve 24, seating upon anfoutlet-valve seat secured underneath the case and providing for exhaust circulation of the water when the valve 24 is raised. l preferably incorporate with the outlet-opening of said valve a muffling deviceconsisting ofa Yperforated stem 26 and a surrounding shell 2.7,l which together act to muffle or quiet the outward circulation of the water of condensation. The stem 23 extends upwardly, a clearance-opening 2S being preferably provided in lever `17 for convenience .andis provided with a downwardly-.pressing spring29, secured in any suitable mann er, las withinan -inclosing casing 80, as shown, whereby the spring constantly exerts a downward pressure upon the valve-stein to keep the valve closed.

TConnected with the upper portion of the case 4 inany suitable manner is a valve-case 31, having a valve 32, adapted `to close underiinternal pressure, butto open on a reduction of internal pressure to admit air to Vthe interior,l as will be readily understood. This valve `may be constructed'inany suitable :mannerl and merely acts as a check, admittingr airto Afacilitate the emptying of the chamber from` time to time. As thus constructed the invention is designed to utilize the coolnig and Aheating effect of the water of condensationl lor steam to open and close the valve 24 .periodically to empty the chamber of water when it hasbecoine filled and ywhen thetem-` perature of the water has been sufficiently reduced to cause a contraction-in the pipe7. ;For the purpose of facilitating the operation I prefer to make 4the tubes 6 and 8 of differ'- ent materials having different degrees of eX- rpansionand contraction under variable heat,j

and the tube 8-isyordinarily,'therefore, made of brass or copper. E

The operationis as follows: Water of con-l deiisation Afrom the pipe system entering chamber 5 andtube 'through ports 7 circulates outwardly `therethrough i and back-` `wardly in the interior of tube 6` and will cause -lan expansion of tube S, maintaining the tube 6 outwardlyin the position shownlinFig. 14

'until the chamber vwithin thecasehasbecome iilled with water.V When sufficiently coolto cause a contractionof tube 8, said tub e will forcethe inner tube inwardly against lever 17, which, acting upon lever 21,'-will raisethe valve, as in Fig. 3,resulting in. an outflow ofvfater until the chamber is empty. Immediately upon the entrance of a new supvply of hot water `or vapor the tube 8 willagain elongate, causing the levers and valve to again resume` their normal inoperative position under action of spring 29, which position will be maintained until the chamber is again filled. 'The air-controlling valve 32 ywill operate automatically yto supply suffi.- cient air, as stated, and will reseat itself under internal pressure. By means of the threaded stem 13 it will be seen that the bearing-'terminal =16 of tube `(5 may be very accurately adjusted with relation to the lever 17, whereby vthe apparatus may be accurately set to perform its desired function. Steam is prevented from entering the chamber around the 'operative `end lof `pipe i6 Eby means of bushings 33., which also serve as centering* bearings for the pipe.

1n Fig. 5 I show a modiiied'construction wherein the outgoing water passes directly to spaced".frominletetube 2".andichamber 5,

Ireturning through the .interior of inner 4tube 6'., .the Vinner .end of 'tube .having albearingterminal 16 .andan `outlet-.port r35 opening into the .interior chamber. 'The operation ofthe. apparatus otherwise'isfthe same as just describedsand zinerely involves anobvious reversal of the -circulation .through `the inner 4and .outer tubes. The case 4 is provided with 'lugs.34. ateach side, 'by Whichit ,may be supported .from underneath the `car-body, .a supplemental supporting bracket orstrapbe- .ing provided rfor the extended `therniostat'ic tube,or.the device .maybe supported in any yother suitable .manner 1 or 1 otherwise incorpo rated lwith the pipe system or other steam containing or conveying vmechanism with .whichit is to`be used..

As thus constructedmyinvention,is capaible of continuous efficient operation. fltis eX- ;tremely simple .and cheap in construction,

durable,.and not liableito get out of order, `whilelbeing capable of entirelydrainingithe receiving-chamber vfrom timetotime without escape of any steam, inasmuch as :the A.thermostatic tube quicklyresponds tovariations rin temperature .and lpromptly :reseats `the valve as soonas then-ew charge of heated water or vapor commencesk to. enterthe chamber.

Changes and variations may'beinade'by the skilledmechanic in the design, construction, or `various detailso'f the invention-as, yfor instance, by substituting :.a .weight .for

spring 29 g but all such chan-gesareto be con sidered as within the scope ofthefllowing claims.

'-WhatlI claimis 1. The combination .with .a fchambered body provided with ianoutleteopening, ofa supply 'connection,an' inner .and an outer tube 1 connectedl together and so .arranged in circulatinglV communication .with the supply -conlnectionas to necessitate a flow therefrom `through one of saidI tubes` andy ka returnfflow to the chamber .through :the other of. said tubes, withan outletvalve,.an`dlever mech anism connected therewith and `arranged to be IOO actuated by one of said tubes, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a chambered body provided with a valve-controlled outlet, of a supply connection, an inner and an outer tube connected together providing for a return circulation of water of condensation, a lever connected with the valve mechanism adapted to be actuated by one of said tubes, with means for maintaining the valve mechanism closed, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a chambered body provided with an inlet connection, an outlet-opening, a valve controlling the outlet-opening, and lever mechanism arranged to unseat the valve of an inner and an outer tube connected together and so arranged in circulating communication with the inlet connection as to necessitate an independent reverse circulation through the tubes, one of said tubes being in bearing engagement with said lever mechanism, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a chamber provided with an inlet connection, an outletopening, a valve therefor, and lever mechanism arranged to unseatthe valve; of an inner and an outer tube connected together and in circulating communication with the inlet connection, one of said tubes being in bearing engagement with one of said levers, with means for adjusting one of said tubes with relation to the other, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a chamber provided with an inlet connection, an outletopening, a valve therefor, and lever mechanism arranged to unseat the valve of an inner and an outer tube connected together and in circulating communication with the inlet connection, one of said tubes being in bearing engagement with one of said levers, and a pressure-spring arranged to normally maintain the outlet-valve seated, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a chambered body having an inlet-opening, an outletopening, and a valve controlling said outletopening; of a lever arranged to unseat said valve, an inner and an outer tube connected together and in reversed circulating communication with said inlet-opening, one of said tubes being arranged to exert pressure upon said lever, due to variations in the length of the outer tube, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with a chambered body and levers therein arranged to actuate body and connected at the other end With said inner tube, with means for adjusting one of said tubes with relation to the other, substantially as set forth.

S. The combination with a chambered bodyand levers therein arranged to actuate an outlet-valve; of a supply connection, an inner tube communicating therewith, and arranged to actuate the levers, and an outer tube secured at one end to said chambered body and connected at the other end with said inner tube, with a valve-controlled airsupply opening leading into the chambered body, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with a chambered body and levers therein arranged to actuate an outlet-valve; of a supply connection, an inner tube communicating therewith and adapted to move operative mechanism, and an outer tube secured at one end to said chambered body and connected at the other v connected with the chamber, an inner tube connected with said outer tube at its outer end with an intervening space and arranged to actuate said lever, one of said tubes communicatin y with the inlet-opening at one end and with the other of said tubes at its opposite end, the other of said tubes communieating with the chamber, whereby a return circulation is established, substantially as set forth.

l1. The combination with a chambered bodyhaving an inlet-opening, an outlet-opening, a normally closed valve controlling said outlet-opening, and a lever arranged to unseat said valve; of an outer tube fiXedly connected with the chamber, an inner tube connected with said outer tube at its outer end with an intervening space and arranged to actuate said lever, with a communication between the inlet-opening and one of said tubes adapted to establish an outward circulation through said tube and a return circulation through the other of said tubes into the chamber, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof l afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT G. MCAULEY.

l/Vitnesses: l

CHAs. S. LEPLEY, C. M. CLARKE.

IOO

IIO

Corrections in Letters Patent No. 792,538.

It is hereby Certified that in Letters Patent No. 792,538, granted June 13, 1905, upon the application of Robert Gr. MeAuley, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for an improvement in Automatic Drain Apparatus, an error appears in the printed specili- 2, line 9, the numerals 25 should and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Ofee.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of June, A. D., 1905.

[SEAL] cation requiring correction, as follows: 0n page be inserted after the Word seat F. I. ALLEN,

Commissioner of Patents. 

